TOP 5 ACTORS WHO MADE IT WITHOUT A LEADING LIGHT.

ANUPAM KHER

          

              He was born in Shimla, where his father was a clerk. He completed studying in Himachal. He performed plays in Himachal Pradesh University. There was also a phase in his life, when he used to sleep on the railway platform, during his struggling days as an actor in Mumbai. Finally, his hard work and dedication paid him off.

             He made his debut in ‘Saraansh’ (1984, Mahesh Bhatt).  He received the Filmfare critics award for best performance in ‘Daddy’ (1989, Mahesh Bhatt). He has starred alongside Hindi Cinema’s superstar, Shahrukh Khan in many movies such as ‘DDLJ’, ‘kuch kuch hota hai’, ‘Veer Zara’, etc. He also directed and produced few films. He received best actor award from the Karachi International Film Festival.

            He hosted few TV shows among them ‘The Anupam Kher Show’ was a big hit. He is also the former chairperson of National School of Drama, New Delhi. He also worked in Hollywood a few times, recently he starred in a British film ‘Shongram’, a fictional romantic drama.

NAWAZ UDDIN SIDDIQUI

           

               He was born in an orthodox muslim family in Budhana, a small town of western Uttar Pradesh. He completed B. Sc in chemistry and worked as a chemist in Vadodara for a year. He came to Delhi in search of a job, but was drawn into acting after watching a play. He performed in plays with a group of friends to fulfil one of the criteria of NSD.

             After graduating from NSD, he went to Mumbai. During his struggle, he encountered many problems. In 2004, he was unable to pay his rent, he asked a NSD senior if he could stay with him. The senior agreed to share the apartment only if Nawaz was willing to cook meals for him.

             Nawaz first appeared, with a small role in Aamir Khan starrer, ‘Sarfarosh’ (1999, John Mathew Matthan). After that he hung out at film studios and shootings but only found stereotypical roles. He also tried to get work in television serials but did not accomplish anything.

             His appearance in ‘Black Friday’ (2007, Anurag Kashyap) took the plunge for other powerful roles. He was first spot in the movie ‘New York’ (2009, Kabir Khan). Nevertheless, it was his role as a journalist in ‘Peepli Live’ (2010, Anusha Rizvi & Mahmood Farooqui), that got it him appreciation as an actor. He got fame in 2011, through his back to back hit movies like ‘Kahaani’, ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’ (duology), ‘Talaash’. He bagged the filmfare award for best supporting role in Talaash.

              In 2015, his roles in ‘Manjhi’ (2015, Ketan Mehta) and ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ (2015, Kabir Khan) acquired him great applause. For his performance in ‘Haraamkhor’, he was awarded the best actor in New York Indian Film Festival.

AKSHAY KUMAR

            

                 Rajiv Bhatia, known by his screen name ‘Akshay Kumar’ was born in Amritsar. Since childhood, he was least interested in studies. His was an accountant but never forced him to study, he always appreciated Akshay’s interest in sports and supported him. After completing high school, he went to Bangkok to learn martial arts and worked there as a waiter and chef to make his living. Couple of years later, he started import-export business in various things, whichever earned him more wages.

                After obtaining a black belt in taekwondo in India, he started teaching martial arts in Mumbai. One of his student, a pioneering photographer suggested him into modelling which gradually led to a modelling assignment. He earned good amount, so chose the modelling career path. He also worked as a background dancer in various films. The day which changed his life was, one morning when he missed his flight for fashion shoot in Bangalore. Discouraged and depressed, he visited a film studio along with his portfolio, and he was signed for the lead role in Deedar by Pramood Chakravarty. Due to some reasons Deedar got delayed and thus ‘Saugandh’ (1991, Ray N. Sippy) became his debut film.

                 From there on, he accepted every challenge that came his way but never stopped. His action films gave boost to his career, specially his ‘Khiladi’ series. He is a versatile actor. He played many different roles with affluence, be it romantic, comedy or action. He redeems each role very graciously. He did not win many awards though he got number of nominations.

PRIYANKA CHOPRA

                 

                She is the Miss World pageant winner of 2000. She is an actor and singer. In course of time, she has become one of most popular high-profile celebrities in India. She has received several nominations and awards including a National Film Award for best actress, and Filmfare awards in five different categories, only actress to achieve this. She was awarded Padma Shri in 2016. She is also an incredible singer.

                 Priyanka wanted to pursue engineering or psychiatry but during her pageantry, she received offers to join the Indian Film industry. She made her first debut in the Tamil film ‘Thamizhan’ (2002, A. Majid). The subsequent year, she starred in ‘The Hero’ (2003, Anil Sharma), her first hindi film. Her breakout role in ‘Aitraaz’ (2004, Mustaan Burmawalla and Abbas Burmawalla) procured great critical praise. Furthermore, she gave hits like ‘Andaaz’, ‘Mujhse Shaadi Karoge’, ‘Krrish’, ‘Don’, etc.

                   She made her first debut in singing with her first single “In My City” in 2012. She received People’s choice award for the song and nomination at the World Music Awards. Her songs, “Exotic” and “I can’t make you love me” also made great success.

RAJNIKANTH

                  

                  As a child he was studious yet mischievous with interests in sports such as cricket, football and basketball. He was enrolled at Ramakrishna Math at the age of 12, a Hindu monastery setup. He was taught Vedas, traditions, etc. in addition to the spiritual lessons, he also started acting in plays at the math. After completion of school, he worked as a bus conductor in Bangalore Transport Service. He also continued acting in plays.

                   One day, he decided to join the ‘Madras Film Institute’ but his family was not in support. His friend and co-worker Raj Bahdur motivated him to join the institute and also financed him during the phase. During his stay at the institute, he was performing in a stage play and got noticed by a Tamil film director K. Balachander. The director advised him to learn to speak Tamil, he followed his advice immediately. And he made his debut from Tamil film ‘Apoorva Raagangal’ (1975, K. Balachander). Rajnikanth considers him as his school.

                    Consequently, there was no looking back. He went to become one of the rising star of south Indian film industry. He also tried luck in Bollywood but failed to achieve the same success. So, he stuck to the Tamil industry. He is respected as “God” by his fans all over India for his unique acting styles.